SQL2K8 Server update to Service Pack 2 - Upgrade impact checklist

* Sql 2008 sp2 Release note
* Crm requirements
* Know issue
* Test on UAT (won't work cos prod db and uat db are on the same sql server)

Support Dev Check List

* Source code in source control
* Deployment process

How to identify the correct worker procees to attach in VS during debug.

So quite often when we have to debug by attaching to a process, we are confronted with this screen.

There are 6 w3wp.exe processes running on this machine, How do we know which one we want to debug?

There is a command that will show you. If you are running windows 2008, open up your command prompt and type
‘C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\appcmd.exe list wp’
This will produce a result like this.

I can see that NRCAppPool is running under the worker process with the id 10436, this is the one I wanted, so all you have to do now is go back to Visual Studio and attach the IDE to the w3wp.exe with the id 10436.

If you are running windows Server 2003. Simply type iisapp, and it will display similar information.

Analytic questions when problem shooting

* Why is it happening?
* What is the cause of it?
* If you know the cause what is the another things maybe affected? (e.g. if a setting in a config is cause a problem, does it cause other problems?)

* Can we isolate/narrow down to the problem?

* It is a story and make the story line clear in your head.

Common Questions – Connector for Microsoft Dynamics

Common Questions – Connector for Microsoft Dynamics
Connector for Microsoft Dynamics provides flexible integration between Microsoft Dynamics ERP products and Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
In this release, Feature Pack 4, the Connector now supports three Microsoft Dynamics ERP Products: Microsoft Dynamics GP; Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Microsoft Dynamics AX.
1. What is the name of the software?
The name of the software is ‘Connector for Microsoft Dynamics (previously known as “Microsoft Dynamics CRM Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP”
2. Will there be a price for the Connector for Microsoft Dynamics?
No. The Connector for Microsoft Dynamics is FREE. However, customers will need to have an active/current Microsoft Dynamics ERP Enhancement/Support plan. In addition, the customer will also need an active/current Microsoft Dynamics CRM Software Assurance (SA) Support Plan.
3. Which Microsoft Dynamics Partners are able to order the Connector for Microsoft?
The partner organization needs to be a REGISTERED Microsoft Dynamics ERP Partner as all orders MUST be placed through the standard Microsoft Dynamics ERP ordering process.
4. Does the connector support earlier versions of the ERP and CRM products?
The connector is compatible with the following versions
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0, both on premise and online (minimum Update Roll-up #5)
• Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Service Pack 4
• Microsoft Dynamics GP2010
• Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2
• Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Service Pack 1
5. Will the connector support the next release of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM product?
Yes, we will release integration components for the next version – both online and on premise.
6. What is/are the main integration engines/services used for the Connector for Microsoft Dynamics?
The integration is a web service to web service integration. The integration is comprised of an NT Service which binds together web services for both Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Dynamics ERP to read and write data. The integration service also leverages a transform engine to convert the data between the interfaces to ensure that the data moving between the two systems is compatible and in correct form.
9. Does the Connector for Microsoft Dynamics use Microsoft BizTalk Server?
No.
10. What are the supported languages for the Connector for Microsoft Dynamics?
US English only. We are evaluating the other supported Microsoft Dynamics ERP supported languages.
11. Will this release of the Connector for Microsoft Dynamics have multicurrency functionality?
GP – no
AX & NAV - Yes
12. How is the Connector for Microsoft Dynamics different from an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) integration toolset?
The Connector for Microsoft Dynamics is an out of the box, lightly extensible data integration tool. Version 1 of the Connector has been built to integrate Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Dynamics ERP applications only. It will allow for additional property mapping between existing entities which are exposed through the Connector for Microsoft Dynamics. If your integration requires more complex needs such as introducing workflows into the integration components, integrating other 3rd party products, or doing more multi-mastering of data across multiple applications, then an ISV integration toolset may be more appropriate.
14. Was there a TAP/BETA program for the Connector for Microsoft Dynamics?
There was a successful Partner TAP (Technology Adoption Program). This program has helped Microsoft validate key integration scenarios.
15. Will there be a Software Development Kit (SDK) for the Connector for Microsoft Dynamics?
Yes. The Connector for Microsoft Dynamics SDK is available now.
16. What are the OOTB (Out-Of-The-Box) Entity Mappings?
Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Dynamics AX Integration

Searchable Property Updater for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011

I’ve just come across this tool for CRM 2011 that lets you update the searchable fields on an entity in bulk. Very useful tool!!

http://searchpropupdater.codeplex.com/

Learning styles and Learning skills - a note for myself

Summary:

[Aural]
(To do)Explain your notes to someone or a tape recorder
(To do)Summarise information in different ways. (Summarise by different categories)

[Visual]
(To do)Develop symbol
(To do)Develop vocabulary to turn visual into words
(Tip)When you are learning something new, imagine what it looks like.
(Original ideas)User Colour, Symbol and Diagram and turn visual to words.

[Kinetic]
(Tip)Think in terms of scenarios
+ English phrases you may use in scenarios of talking
(To do)Make example 101s - Try yourself to make simple examples
(Tip)Go to lab/field trips

[Logical-Mathematical]
(Tip)Allow yourself to experiment with your own hypotheses (If...)
(Tip)Create an outline - then ask yourself what it looks like?

[Verbal - Critical thinking]
(Tip)Ask questions. (What When Where Who How What...If)
(To do)Engage in the Socratic method, digesting information through a question-and-answer exchange.
(To do)Critical thinking

[Reading - link to Verbal]
(Skim reading)Read 1st Paragraph + 1st sentence of each following paragraphs
(In-depth reading)Fill the skeleton -> Ask questions -> Summarise
(Scan reading) Search for info
+ Anticipate words may appear
+ Run your finger through
+ Look for relationship words like "thus", "consequently", "as a result"

[Quiz/Game]
(Tip)Learn a NEW quiz or game (including singing) on Sat. nights

[Other]
(Tip)Quiet environment - at least no one is watching me
(Original Idea) While I am taking notes, I think about how I will use them later.

* (To do) means need practice
* (Tip) Things you can do daily

Crm 2011 Online Time zone and Scheduling engine

When using CRM2011 online, if you set a date to be a particular date plus/minus an amount, it calculates it off of server time which is set to Western US (Microsoft) time so all times are 21 hours out.

The scheduling screen do not care about time zone.

99.9% uptime?

I just witnessed 2 days a ago when a customer's production site is out of service for 12 hours or longer. And what made it worse is that we couldn't help technically because everything is in the cloud. So if it ever happens to you, here is a list of questions you may want to ask your cloud provider. It is also a list of things you may want to think about before you sign up to the cloud.

* What caused the issue? If something was changed, what was it?
* What testing is in place to ensure that access to the site is not compromised by the change.
* If the testing is in place, why was this not detected?
* What is being done to prevent this happening again?
* Is there any monitoring in place to check uptime?
* How will I be compensated if SLA is breached?
* Is there anything we can do to mitigate the problem?

I also would like to refer to Jeff Adwood's blog post chaos monkey on the same topic.

Blog topics

Blog topics:

* Try Word Press
* Speed reading
* Memory

Quick healthy cooking (1)

Many of us are living a busy life style. I often scratch my head about how to cook a health meal QUICKLY. We don't have time, right? Well, casserole is a way to go. I used to use a crock pot. But my parent bought me a pressured crock pot which makes the whole process even quicker. With the pressured crock pot I only need to turn on cook for half an hour rather than a whole day. Save power too!

I just want to put down a list of veges which will come great with a curry casserole. This is only for people don't know cooking at all like me. As not all veges will result a good dish and some of them will turn yellow or too soggy. Ok, here is the list and normally you will only need 3 or 4 from the list.

Mushroom
Baby corn
Cauliflower
Red Capsicum
Carrot
Onion - you will need it when brown the meat
Potato

If you want to be adventurous, try
Pineapple
Pressed Tofu

Blog Mission Statement

Hello all,

First of all, thanks for reading my blog. I am very much a appreciate your time.

I have decided to start to write blogs as way to record my thoughts from now on. I think it is a good way to actually let myself THINK about things critically and be analytical. Also as a log of tips I learnt in my life. Hope your guys will find them helpful. If you think my writing sucks, it probably true, but that is exactly another reason I am blogging. I rather do the right thing poorly and then improve on it than not doing it at all. So thank you for any constructive suggestion and comments in advance.

So, good old mission statement time :-)

By writing on this blog, I am aiming to

* Connecting with people.
* Improve critical and analytically thinking.
* Get feedbacks. (This is important)
* Improving my writing.
* Diary about the moments in my life.
* Record the tips/life hacks I learnt in life for myself and for sharing with others.